Wall structure



Oct. 2, 1951 w. A. MAYES 2,569,895

WALL STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT.0R. i? BY Wklienljllzgres ATTOR/YFXS W. A. MAYES WALL STRUCTURE Oct. 2, 1951 4. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. '7, 1945 33 INVEN TOR.

WdliezA fla QY M0" M ATTORNEYS W. A. MAYES WALL STRUCTURE Oct. 2,1951

4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 7, 1945 IN VEN TOR. BY EMMA/Hayes 6 4-01.; 4P

ATTOE/YFYS W. A. MAYES WALL STRUCTURE Oct. 2, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 7, 1945 WMieJA/Kqes BY A @mnv- ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 2, 1951 WALL STRUCTURE Walter A. Mayes, York, Pa., assignor to Martin- Parry Corporation, York, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application September 7, 1945, Serial No. 614,855

This invention relates to improvements in wall structures of the kind comprising an assembly of pre-fabricated units.

One object of the invention is to provide a wall structure which is pleasing and attractive in appearance, which may be readily adapted to the physical characteristics of the particular structure with which it may be associated, and which may be erected and disassembled with facility.

A further object is to provide a cornice assembly for a wall structure which will readily accommodate electric wiring and afford ready access to the latter, which is highly effective for reinforcing purposes, and which cooperates with the panels in such a manner as to minimize the use of supplemental fastening means.

A still further object is to provide a wall structure wherein the pre-fabricated units are so constructed and assembled that vibration of the units in response to external influences and the passage of light through the joints of the structure will be prevented.

A still further object is a novel design and arrangement of the parts of the wall structure, whereby to provide for simplicity and economy in construction, this object contemplating improvements in the base and stud assemblies forming component'parts of the wall structure.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a panel type partition embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3 and 4 are similiar sections taken along lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, of the same figure;

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged horizontal sections taken along lines 5-5 and 6B, respectively, of Figure 1; and

Figure 7 is a vertical section taken along line 1-1 of Figure 2.

The wall structure is shown in the drawings, by way of example, as a partition of less than ceiling height. Although the pie-fabricated units embodying the features of this invention may be employed for extending the partition to the ceiling if desired, this may, as shown, be accomplished with the use of conventional panelling.

The pre-fabricated panels of the partition are indicted at It]. Two vertical tiers of panels are employed in the structure shown in Figure 1, there being three panels in each tier and the tiers being in groups of two located at'opposite 5 Claims. (01. 189-34) sides of a door I I. Each panel, as best shown in Figure 2, has a sheet metal frame of g ner y rectangular shape. It may, as shown, carry a pane of glass I2 or any other suitable panelling. The upper and lower cross members l3 and I4 of each panel, although of general rectangular shape in transverse cross section, have outer walls which are provided by inwardly-directed, spaced-apart flanges l5.

Each tier of panels is located between post assemblies 16. The lowermost panel in each tier is supported by and between two post assemblies by supports ll. The latter have plate-like body portions and are attached by suitable fastenings Hi to side channel members l9 (Figure 7) of the post assemblies I6, the supports I! having upper ends which extend toward one another and which terminate in vertical projections 2 0. The sides 2| (Figure 2) of the latter converge in an upward direction and provide shoulders which engage the marginal edges of the flanges l5 on the lower frame member of the lower panel as the latter is arranged in place. In this connection it will be noted that when this is done the projections 20 enter between the flanges l5 and firmly engage the edge of the latter to hold it securely against any lateral movement.

The intermediate panel in the same tier is supported upon the lowermost panel and the uppermost panel is supported upon the intermediate panel. In order to connect the panels of the assembly and to prevent the passage of light through the joints between them, light stop strips 22 are employed. The strips 22 are of a width substantially the same as the thickness: of the upper and lower frame members of the panels and may be formed of sheet metal. Referring particularly to Figure 2, wherein one of the light stop strips is shown, it will be noted that the said strip is formed with extensions 23 which are located between the flanges l5 and oppositely extending shoulders 24 and 25 which are engaged by the ends of the flanges [5. The extremities of the shoulders 25 are inclined inwardly to facilitate their entry between the flanges of the upper frame member of the lower panel. The shoulders 24 may be similarly formed, if so desired.

The light stop strips 22 preferably terminate short of the side channel members IQ of the post assemblies between which they are arranged;

and, as shown in Figure 7, preferably carry extensions 26 which occupy elongated slots 21 formed in the side channel members [9 of the post assemblies. Preferably the extensions 26 are formed with flanges 21a (Figure 2) which extend outwardly and then inwardly and which are through which electric wiring may pass.

7 the post assemblies.

resilient. The flanges 27a are spaced apart so that when the extensions 26 are caused to enter the slots 2'! they will resiliently engage the vertical edges of the slots. The slots 21 being elongated in a vertical direction, free vertical movement of the ends of the light stop stri s will be permitted to facilitate assembling and disassembling operations. Lateral movements of the light stop strips and the panels connected thereby will, however, be prevented.

Each post assembly It also includes a channel member 26. The :members 28 and IQ of the as-- sembly are similar, as best shown in Figures 5 and 6, and are arranged in spaced-apart relation with their flanges directed toward one another. The two channel members referred to are connected to form a stud by cooperating: channel members 29 (Figure 5). The latter are arranged Within the channel members I 9 and 28 with their webs in back-to-back relation and with their flanges abutting the flanges 'of thechannel: members I9 and 2'8; The channel members 29 need not and preferably do not extend the full length of the channel. members I9: and 28. Preferably they are of relatively short length and are arranged in pairs at the desired locations, thereby providing passages between pairs. At the lower end of the post assembly, web portions of: the channel members I9 and 2 81 are cut away to form oppositely located openings 35 (Figure '7) The base of the post=assemblyis provided by a bracket 3-I having legs 32 which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the webs of the channel members I9 and 28, the legs 32- being cut away opposite the openings 30. The central portion or the bracketBI is elevated to form a channel 33 extending midway between and parallel with the walls I9 and 25. The channel 33- is adapted. to accommodate a shoulder 3'4 ona floor bracket 35, the latter being adapted to be screwed or otherwise suitablysecured to the floor in the desired location so that the post may be secured to it by a bolt 36.

'Floor channel members 3'! are located between Each channel member, as best shown in Figure 2, is preferably formed of sheet metal in' such a manner as to provide runners 38 which space the bottom of the channel 'member "above the supporting surface. The

upper marginal edges of the side flanges 59 of the channel member'are preferably formed to provide ornamental beading. 40. Clips 4 i' are carri'ed by the'fioor channel member 31... The clips are welded. or otherwise suitably secured to the latter. and are formed with resilient arms 42 and 43 which are located in close proximity to the flanges 3.9 of the floor channel member. The arms of the clips and the flanges of the floor channel member are resiliently engageable with the lower marginal edges of base molding strips '44. The upper marginal edges of' the molding strips may be formed to provide ornamental beading 4 5. as shown. In order to. insure proper engagement of the upper edges of the. molding strips with the lower frame member of the lower panel, the strips 44 preferably carry clips :35 which are engageable over side flanges. ll on the panel supports I1.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, it will be noted that each post assembly also includes caps 48.

The latter which are generally channel-shaped in cross section. have flanges which are inturned so that they will engage behind. projections 49 which are formed in the webs of .thechannel members I9 and 28. The flanges of the post caps being noted that the post assemblies described have channels at opposite sides for accommodating electric wiring and that the post caps afford ready access to such wiring as occasion may require. Preferably the lower ends of the post caps carry extensions 56, the latter being provided with resilient arms 5I which are engageable with the backs of the post caps to hold the extensions in place.

It will be noted that the post caps 68 extend a. substantial. distance beyond the sides of the channel members I9 and 28 and, when in place, overlie the vertical marginal edges of the panels. Any passage of light through the joints at these points is, therefore, prevented. As the post caps are not utilized in holding the panels against lateral displacement, they may be removed as and when. desired. without releasing the panels at such times.

At their upper ends, each post assembly car;- ries a bracket; 52. Depending legs of the bracket (Figure '7) are welded or otherwise suit.- ably secured to the upper ends of the channel members I9 and 28. The bracket. 52. is also formed with vertical extending: arms 54, the latterbeing accommodated. in an inverted channel 55 (Figure 3') provided by a horizontally extending rail 56.. A bolt 51 which occupies aligned openings in the web of' the rail and a horizontal wall of the bracket 52 holdsthe upper end of the post assembly in the desired position.

The rail 56 is part of a cornice assembly 58. The latter includes spaced-apart channels 59 which are arranged in back-to-back'relation and which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the side flanges 66 of therail 56-. The assembly l thus provided may be strengthened, as shown,

by forming an oifset shoulder 6| in the side flanges of the rail to provide seats upon which the channels 59 rest. The channels 59 are adapted to accommodate electric wiring and are normally closed by cap strips 62. A flange along the upper marginal edge of each cap strip is engageable in a depression 63 formed in the top flange of the channel while thelower marginal edge of the cap strip is inturned to engage behind a shoulder 64 provided by an inturned marginal edge 65 of a depending flange 66. It will be noted that in bending the metal to form the channels 59, a shoulder 61 is formed which will prevent any displacement of wiring within the channel when the cap strip 6.2 is removed and that the dependingflange 66 which furnishes the shoulder for the lower gripping edge of the cap strip also serves to conceal internal structure which would otherwise be exposed. The construction described has the'further advantage that the webs of the two channel membersv 59 and the web of the rail 56 form a channel for accommodating any supplemental partitioning which. may be desired between. the. cornice assembly and the ceiling (Figure 2).. r

The lower portions 68 of the flanges of the rail 56- are offset, as shown in Figure 2, far enough to permit the upper frame member of the uppermost panel to be located between them., It will be noted, therefore (referring to Figures 2 and 3), that those portions of the flanges of the rail 56 which define the narrow portion of the inverted channel are adapted to cooperate with the post brackets 52 while those portions of the flanges of the rail which definev the wide portionv of the channel cooperate with the upper frame member of the uppermost panel.

The units of the partition described may be assembled in any desired order. This may be accomplished with facility, however, by first securing the floor brackets 35 so that they are properly aligned with respect to the center line of the partition, and the brackets may be suitably notched to facilitate this if desired. If the floor should not be level, suitable shims may be placed under the brackets to line them up. The post assemblies l6 may then be placed upon, and secured to the floor brackets. The cornice assembly is then mounted in place, being secured to the brackets 52 by the bolts 51. The openings in the brackets 52 for accommodating the bolts 51 may be, and preferably are, elongated in the direction of the plane of the partition in order to permit the post assemblies to be properly spaced and arranged. Thereafter the fioorchannels 31 may be arranged in place between the post assemblies. The panels are then assembled in the framework thus provided, the lowermost panel of each tier being arranged between the post assemblies and upon the supports H. A light stop strip 22 is then arranged between the post assemblies and secured to the latter with its lower flanges 25 in engagement with the inwardly-directed flanges on the upper frame member of the lowermost panel, it being noted that the elongated slots 21 in the side channels l9 permit the light stop strip to be inclined at such an angle that its two ends may be caused to enter the slots. The intermediate panel of the tier is then arranged between the post assemblies and lowered so that the flanges l5 of its lower frame member will engage the upper flanges 24 on the light stop strip. In assembling the uppermost panel after the second light stop strip has been placed in position, the upper frame member of the panel is moved up between the flanges of the cornice rail 56 to permit the panel to be properly located. The panel is then lowered in position over the light stop strip which connects it and the intermediate panel. As so supported, however, the marginal edges of the upper frame member of the uppermost panel are located between the side flanges of the rail 56 as shown in Figure 2. The wiring having been installed, the post caps 48 are snapped in place, the extensions 50 having first been slipped upon the lower ends of the post caps. this connection it is to be noted that the floor channel assemblies are in effect floating. They will adapt themselves to any inclination of the floor, being held against lateral displacement by the post caps 48 which engage the arms 42 of the clips 4| carried by the terminal portions of the floor channel. The base molding strips 44 are next assembled, the lower marginal edges of the strips being caused to enter between the side flanges of the floor channel 31 and the arms of the clips 4 I. At the same time, the clips 46 which are carried by the molding strips are caused to engage over the side flanges 41 of the supports I1, it being understood, of course, that the floor channels are adapted to accommodate electric wiring and that suitable openings are formed in the post assemblies to permit passage of such wiring through them.

The door Il may be of any suitable construction. The casing thereof as shown includes a header 69 (Figure 4) having flanges 16 which may be accommodated within the cornice rail 56. The header 69 may be secured in the position shown by angle members H (Figures 4 and 7) the vertical legs 12 of the angle members being secured to the side channel members IQ of the post assemblies between which the door is located. The side frame members 13 of the door casing (Figures 4 and 6) are preferably similar in cross section to the header and may also be secured as indicated at 14 (Figure 7) to the channel members l9. As the flanges T0 of the frame members of the door casing are spaced apart the same distance as the sides of the frame members of the panels, the door installation does not necessitate any material change in the cornice and post assemblies.

4 From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the partition described has the advantage that the variou pre-fabricated units are firmly held in assembled relation so that any vibration thereof as a result of external influences is avoided. A further advantage obtained is that all joints between'the units are shielded in such a manner as to prevent the passage of light through them. Although the panels may be assembled and disassembled with facility, their securement in the desired assembled relation is effected Without the aid of the post caps. Displacement of the panels or their dislocation as a result-of the absence of or the removal of the post caps cannot, therefore, take place. As the post caps are not employed in holding the panels in position, this does not have to be taken into consideration in their design. The resilient engagement of the caps with the side channel members of the post assemblie is therefore required only to hold the post caps in position as there will be no tendency for the panels to displace the post caps.

Although the features of the invention have been described in connection with a partition'of the panel type, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such specific application and that the features of the invention may be employed to advantage in connection with various other types of panels and panel assemblies.

I claim as my invention: l. A structural assembly of the character described including posts between which panels are arranged one above another, and a light stop strip extending between adjacent posts, said light stop resting upon a lower panel and providing a seat for an upper panel and being freely movable in a vertical plane while being held against movement in a horizontal plane by positioning means on said light stop strip engaging said posts, said light stop strip comprising a relatively flat sheet metal strip having positioning means thereon engaged with adjacent posts, said positioning means being channehshaped and having a web portion attached to the light stop strip, the flanges of the positioning means being resilient and projecting beyond the ends of the light stop strip and engaging vertical openings in said post.

2. A structural assembly of the character described including posts between which panels having longitudinal openings in the upper and lower marginal edges thereof are arranged one above another, said posts having web portions formed with vertically extending, elongated slots, and a light stop strip extending between adjacent posts and having terminal portions which occupy said slots, said light stop resting upon a lower panel and being freely movable in a vertical plane while being held against movement in a horizontal plane by the engagement of said terminal portions with the side walls of said slots, said light stop strip comprising a relatively fiat sheet metal strip having a pair of longitudinally disposed, upwardly directed spaced apart shoulders located inwardly of the edges of said strip engaging the sides of the longitudinal opening in the marginal. edge of an upper panel and similar downwardly directed shoulders on said light stop strip engaging the sides of the longitudinal opening in the marginal edge of a lower panel.

3'. A wall structure of the character described comprising in combination spaced hollow metal posts adapted to be fixed at their bases to a floor and at their tops to a cornice structure, superimposed panel section including lower panel sections supported above the floor and held against lateral displacement at their lower corners by supports carried by said posts, light stop strips between adjacent superimposed panel sections, said light stop strips being freely vertically movable but held against lateral displacement, means on said light stop strips coaoting with adjacent edges of associated superimposed panel sections and said posts, respectively, holding said superimposed panel sections against lateral displacement at their adjacent edges, upper panel sections, positioning means on said cornice structure coaoting with the upper edges of said upper panel sections holding the latter against lateral posts adapted to be fixed at their lower ends to a fioor and at their upper ends to a cornice structure, superimposed panel sections including lower panel sections supported and held against lateral displacement at their lower corners by means of supports carried by said posts, upper panel sections, light stop strips between adjacent superimposed panel sections, positioning means on said light stop strip cooperating with adjacent edges of said superimposed panel sections and said hollow metal posts, respectively, maintaining said superimposed panel sections against lateral displacement at their said adjacent edges, said cornice structure comprising a downwardly opening channel shaped rail whereby the upper panel sections may be partially received between the flanges of said rail for holding said upper panel sections against lateral displacement at their upper edges said light stop strips being formed of sheet metal and being fiat such that they maybe of a length equal to the distance between adjacent posts and, hence, insertible between posts at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane and thereafter shiftable to a horizontal position between said posts.

5. 'A wall structure of the character described comprising in combination spaced hollow metal posts adapted to be fixed at their bases to a fioor and at their tops to a cornice structure, superimposed panel sections including. lower panel sections supported above the floor and. held against lateral displacement at their lower corners. by supports carried by said posts, light stop stripsv between adjacent superimposed panel'sections, means on said light stop strips coaoting with adjacent edges. of associated superimposed panel sections and said posts, respectivelmholding said superimposed panel sections against lateral displacement at their adjacent edges, upper ,panel sections, positioning means on said cornice structure coaoting with the upper edges of said upper panel sections holding the latter against lateral displacement, floor members loosely disposed between adjacent posts and beneath. adjacent lower panel sections, removable cap strips attached to said hollow metal posts, and positioning means connected to said floor members and coaoting with positioning means on one of said panel sections and said posts to hold said floor members in proper alignment between said posts.

WALTER A. MAYES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 498,859 Poulson et al. June 6, 1893 997,677 Ivey July 11, r1911 7 1,420,473 Dawson et al June 20, 1.922

1,842,094 Hauserman et a1. Jan. 19, 1932 1,856,995 Hauserman et a1. May 3,1932 1,946,268 Bohnsack et a1. Feb. 6, 1934 1,960,077 Balch et al. May 22, 1934 1,993,499 Balch Mar; 5,v 1935 1,999,605 Winslow Apr. 30, 1935 2,020,502 Goddard Nov. 12, 1935 2,169,274 Mills Aug. 15, 19 9 2,202,861 Mills June 4, 1940 2,313,839 Olsen Mar. 16, 1943 

